Hundreds of Parisians have lined up to pay their last respects to former French President Jacques Chirac after a funeral convoy escorted his body through the city this afternoon.
Police officers saluted the convoy today as Chirac’s daughter Claude, was pictured leaving her home in the funeral car.
The body of the 86-year-old has been brought to lie in state at the Invalides memorial, with many lining up through the streets of Paris in order to sign a book of condolence.
His death on Thursday prompted a flood of tributes for the politician who will be remembered by many as a charismatic giant of domestic and international politics despite a mixed legacy.
His political career spanned three decades and he also spent 12 years as president from 1995-2007.
Today his influence was felt across the city as many arrived with posters of Chirac, while others held up signs of well wishes.
From midday today his coffin will lie in state at the Saint-Louis-des-Invalides cathedral at the Invalides memorial complex in central Paris for the French public to come and pay their last respects.
Hundreds of people were seen lining up today at the monument in order to pay their respects to the former leader
A large photograph of Chirac was displayed in front of his coffin today, there was an EU flag on one side and on the other a French flag
Chirac (pictured above) died at the age of 86 on 26 September and tributes have since been flooding in for the former president
Police officers saluted today as Claude Chirac (left) was seen in the funeral convoy as they left their home this afternoon
The funeral procession of the French President Jacques Chirac arrives at The ‘Hotel des Invalises’. Police were seen on all sides of the procession
This afternoon people gathered outside the Saint-Louis-des-Invalides Cathedral in Paris as they waited to attend the public ceremony
The French presidency had since Thursday night thrown open the doors of the Elysee Palace for anyone wanting to write in condolence books. By the time the doors shut on Saturday evening, 5,000 people had done so.
‘A page is turning,’ said Christine, 60, as she signed the book. ‘He had a human side that we don’t have in politics today,’ added Thibaud, 23.
Sunday’s events will be followed on Monday by a national day of mourning in France, with a minute of silence to be observed in all public institutions and schools.
Tomorrow morning the coffin will leave the Invalides under military escort before arriving at the Saint-Sulpice church for a final memorial service attended by President Emmanuel Macron.
The Elysee said some 30 heads of state and government are expected to be present, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Former leaders who worked closely with Chirac, notably including German ex-chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, will also be there.
The hearse transporting Chirac’s body can been seen driving past the Grand Palais while many people gather along the streets
The French flag was erected on either side of the entrance today as people were pictured arriving at the Saint-Louis-des-Invalides Cathedral
The funeral convoy (above) was surrounding by police and security officials today as it made its way to the monument
Mourners today held posters of the former leader (left) while the French national flag was at half-mast today on the roof of the Invalides (right)
The lines of people spanned across the whole of Paris today as they gathered in the city to say a final goodbye to the former leader
Chirac’s successors Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande, will also attend as well as Marine Le Penne.
Chirac will be buried at the Montparnasse cemetery in southern Paris, next to his daughter Laurence who died in 2016 aged 58 following a battle with anorexia.
On Friday thousands flocked to the Elysee Palace to pay tribute to Chirac as the Tricolore flew at half mast and the Eiffel Tower fell into darkness.
A minute’s silence was held in the French National Assembly soon after, as images of the late statesman were projected onto the Hotel de Ville in Paris.
As the day went on mourners arrived at his Parisian home to lay flowers, before thousands queued to write tributes in a condolence book at the Presidential Palace.
The Eiffel Tower was plunged into darkness from 7pm as French politicians past and present described him as a ‘great Frenchman’ who ’embodied France’.
A man holds up a sign showing the speech former French President Jacques Chirac delivered during the Plenary session of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesbourg on September 2, 2002, which reads ‘Our house is burning down and we’re blind to it. Nature, mutilated and overexploited, can no longer regenerate and we refuse to admit it. Humanity is suffering. It is suffering from poor development, in both the North and the South, and we stand indifferent. The earth and humankind are in danger and we are all responsible’
People didn’t let the rain bother them in Paris this afternoon as they patiently lined up to pay tribute to the late President
Macron praised Chirac for leading an ‘independent and proud France, capable of rising up against an unjustified military intervention’.
He was later seen arriving with wife Brigitte at Chriac’s former home and being greeted by his son-in-law Frederic Salat-Baroux.
Despite his staunch opposition to the Iraq War, which put him at loggerheads with the former PM, Tony Blair hailed Chirac as ‘a towering figure in French and European politics over many decades.’
Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter: ‘Jacques Chirac was a formidable political leader who shaped the destiny of his nation in a career that spanned four decades. His loss will be felt throughout France, across the generations.’
He added in French: ‘My sincere condolences to his family, his friends and the French people.’
Leader of the French MoDem centrist party Francois Bayrou (pictured bottom right) pays tribute during the memorial this afternoon
People were this afternoon pictured signing the book of condolence, some wore all black attire while others opted for a casual jeans and jumper
Chirac’s death was announced by his son-in-law Frederic Salat-Baroux on Thursday morning.
The former leader had suffered a series of heart problems in recent years.
In a long career on the French right, Chirac was twice Prime Minister of France before serving as head of state from 1995 to 2007.
Margaret Thatcher the ‘housewife’ and an attack on British food: Jacques Chirac in quotes
The art of diplomacy
‘What more does this housewife want from me? My balls on a plate?’
1988, caught on a microphone during tense European negotiations with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Immigration
‘Today, there is an overdose … Having Spaniards, Poles and Portuguese people working here creates fewer problems than having Muslims and blacks.’
1991, in a speech on immigration policy to his centre-right party.
Jewish round-up
A younger Jacques Chirac in 1975, when he was Prime Minister of France, with Margaret Thatcher who was then Leader of the Opposition in Britain
‘France, the country of light and of human rights, land of welcome and asylum, France on that day did something which cannot be repaired… it delivered those who were under its protection to their executioners.’
1995, becoming the first French president to admit the country’s responsibility for the round-up of Jews sent to Nazi death camps during World War II.
Climate change
‘Our house is burning while we look the other way… Nature, mutilated and over-exploited, can no longer regenerate, and we refuse to admit it… the Earth and mankind are in danger, and we are all responsible.’
2002, address to the Earth Summit in Johannesburg.
The far-right
‘In the face of intolerance and hate, no dealing is possible, no compromise is possible, no debate is possible.’
2002, explaining his refusal to take part in a televised debate with far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen ahead of presidential elections.
Invasion of Iraq
‘There is no justification for a unilateral decision to resort to war. Iraq today does not represent an immediate threat that justifies an immediate war.’
2003, after US President George W. Bush told Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to leave the country within 48 hours or face military action.
Knowing one’s place
‘These countries behaved in a way both ill-educated and reckless… Apart from being childish, it was also dangerous.’
2003, reprimanding five would-be European Union members for endorsing US plans to invade Iraq.
The British
‘The only thing they have ever done for European agriculture is mad cow disease. After Finland, it is the country with the worst food. One cannot trust people whose cuisine is so bad.’
2005, again caught on a microphone speaking to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Reputation as a womaniser
‘I was never averse to women. But I never overdid it either.’
In a book of interviews published in 2007, ‘The Stranger in the Elysee’.
Legacy
‘What people will remember, I have no idea. I’m not really a vain person.’
The same book.
As President he made a historic apology for France’s role in the Holocaust but his term was also marked by riots and a stinging defeat over EU integration.
He also had a reputation as a womaniser and philanderer who repeatedly cheated on his long-suffering wife Bernadette during their 63 years of marriage.
His reputed partners included Italian sex symbol Claudia Cardinale and there were rumours about a series of relationships with journalists and politicians.
Chirac was also known for a love of fine living, revelling in the trappings of power including luxury trips abroad and life at the presidential palace.
After leaving office, Chirac was found guilty of corruption dating back to his time as mayor of Paris and given a two-year suspended prison sentence.
His successors both paid tribute today, Nicolas Sarkozy declaring that ‘a part of my life has disappeared’ while Francois Hollande said France was ‘losing a statesman’.
A notorious philanderer who once confessed: ‘I was never averse to women… but I never overdid it’
Chirac married Bernadette in 1956 and they remained married for the rest of his life despite his serial philandering. They had two children.
Tall and dapper, Chirac’s charming style would work wonders on the campaign trail, exuding warmth when kissing babies and enjoying Western movies and beer.
Handsome, and with the powerful physique of the rugby player he was in his youth, his slicked-back hair and ski-slope nose were favourites of cartoonists.
Despite his reputed success with women, his office staff nicknamed him ‘Mr Three Minutes, shower included’, according to a book published by his chauffeur.
As mayor of Paris in the 1980s, he reputedly ordered the council to buy a coach fitted out with a bedroom so he could meet his lovers whilst on official engagements.
In 1997, he could not be reached for several hours to be told that Diana, Princess of Wales had been involved in what proved to be a fatal a car crash in Paris.
It was later rumoured that he had been sleeping with Claudia Cardinale, the Italian actress and sex symbol, at the time.
Chirac was widely reported to have had an affair with political correspondent and married mother-of-one Jacqueline Chabridon in the 1970s, when he was Prime Minister.
There were even claims that Chirac considered putting his political career in jeopardy by divorcing Bernadette to be with Chabridon.
Bernadette herself once said she had considered leaving her husband and pleaded with him to stop, saying: ‘Napoleon started to lose everything the day that he abandoned Josephine.’
He admitted he still referred to his wife using the formal ‘vous’ rather than the familiar ‘tu’.
In the 1970s, Chirac took presidential advisor Marie-France Garaud, widely viewed as the most influential woman in France, under his wing.
The chauffeur’s book in 2001 claimed that there was an ‘amorous’ relationship between them. She later ran for President herself.
When Chirac was PM in the 1980s there were claims he would enter a meeting ‘holding hands’ with health minister Michele Barzach.
Further rumours surrounded Chirac and journalist Elisabeth Friederich in the early 1990s.
There was outrage when the pair were pictured on a beach holiday together in Mauritius, a trip allegedly paid for with public funds.
Chirac said just before leaving office: ‘There have been women I have loved a lot, as discreetly as possible.’
He also said: ‘I was never averse to women. But I never overdid it either.’ Chirac remained a devout Roman Catholic throughout his life.
The Chiracs also adopted Ahn Dao Taxel, a boat person refugee from Vietnam who arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport in 1979, when Mr Chirac told her: ‘You are coming home with us’.
Declining health of Jacques Chirac who suffered a stroke in office and was even savaged by his dog
Chirac was a former chain smoker and openly enjoyed the luxuries of power during his long career.
His health had started to decline in office, suffering a mysterious blood vessel problem in 2005 that proved to be a stroke. He had a pacemaker fitted in 2008.
In a bizarre episode in 2009, he was taken to hospital after he was savaged by his own dog which was being treated with anti-depressants.
Chirac was ‘bitten badly’ after the animal went for him ‘for no apparent reason’, the former President’s wife recalled.
The dog had apparently struggled to adapt to life away from the presidential Elysee Palace and later had to be given away.
Chirac in Paris in 2014. He had suffered a series of health problems in recent years. He is pictured above at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris in 2014
Jacques and Bernadette Chirac on holiday with his family in 1995, the year he was elected President of France
Chirac in 1995 with his daughter Claude, who became his adviser and spokeswoman when her father was elected to the presidency that year
Chirac with the Queen following a state banquet at Windsor Castle in November 2004
Chirac was excused from attending his 2011 trial on health grounds after medics said he was suffering from neurological problems which affected his memory.
He was found guilty of channelling public money into phantom jobs for political cronies when he was mayor of Paris, but was not sent to prison, partly on health grounds.
The former President also had kidney surgery in 2013 had also been admitted to the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital in Paris for a pulmonary infection on three occasions after leaving office.
In his last years he became visibly weak and walked with a cane at a November 2014 award ceremony of his foundation, which supports peace projects. It has not yet been revealed how he died.
Early life of a Communist agitator who later became a right-wing standard-bearer
Born in Paris in November 1932, Chirac was expelled from school for shooting paper wads at a teacher.
As a young man, Chirac had joined the French Communist Party and called for the abolition of nuclear weapons, though he would later be a standard-bearer for the right.
He sold the Communist daily L’Humanite on the streets for a brief time.
Mr Chirac travelled to the United States as a young man, and as president he fondly remembered hitchhiking across the country.
A young Jacques Chirac is pictured aged 10. As a young man he joined the Communist Party but he later became a standard-bearer for the French right
Chirac as French Prime Minister in 1975 with Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. The black and white photo shows the group smiling
He worked as a fork-lift operator in St Louis and a soda jerk at a Howard Johnson’s restaurant while attending summer school at Harvard University.
Mr Chirac served in Algeria during the independence war, which France lost, and enrolled at France’s Ecole Nationale d’Administration, the elite training ground for the French political class.
In 1956 he married Bernadette Chodron de Courcel, the niece of a former de Gaulle aide and herself involved in local politics in the farming region of Correze.
Political rise of ‘Chameleon Bonaparte’ who became Prime Minister aged 41
Chirac’s long career in national politics began in the 1960s when he worked under President and former Resistance hero Charles de Gaulle.
He was nicknamed ‘Le Bulldozer’ early in his career for his determination and ambition.
His changing political views also earned him nicknames such as Chameleon Bonaparte and the Weathervane.
Within five years, Chirac was a junior minister and had secured a parliamentary seat in the central Correze region.
When students and unions took to the streets of Paris in the May 1968 revolt, he helped negotiate a truce that avoided major bloodshed.
Chirac is greeted by Sumo wrestlers on a visit to Japan in November 1996 during his first term as President of France
Chirac (centre) with U.S. President Bill Clinton and German leader Helmut Kohl in 1995. They had attended the signing of the Bosnian peace agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris
Chirac meets former South African leader Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg in September 2002, the year Chirac won re-election as French President
Working his way up the ladder, he became became Prime Minister in 1974 – a subordinate position in France – under President Valery Giscard d’Estaing.
A personality clash with Giscard led Chirac to resign, but he quickly assumed the presidency of the conservative political party he refounded as the Rally for the Republic.
He became mayor of Paris in 1977 and used the highly visible office as a power base for the next 18 years.
Chirac returned as Prime Minister in 1986 in an uncomfortable arrangement with President Francois Mitterrand of the opposing Socialist Party.
That arrangement ended when Chirac, who had already tried for the presidency once in 1981, lost the 1988 election to Mitterrand.
1995-2002: Holocaust apology, nuclear row and election blunder in Chirac’s first term as President
Chirac was finally elected head of state at the third attempt in 1995 when Mitterrand finally stood down.
Promising to heal the ‘social fracture’, he defeated Socialist candidate Lionel Jospin in the second round of the 1995 election.
In what was perhaps his finest hour, Chirac acknowledged France’s active role in deporting Jews to extermination camps during the Nazi occupation in World War II.
‘Yes, the criminal folly of the occupiers was seconded by the French, by the French state,’ he declared, rejecting the myth of his nation’s innocence in the Holocaust.
Chirac in 1999 with then-Russian leader Boris Yeltsin (centre) and then-Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schröder in Istanbul
Chirac in November 1998 with Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, who also died this month. They are pictured above at the opening of the 20th Franco-African summit
Chirac with the Queen at a Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in France on the 60th anniversary of D-Day in 2004
More controversially, he restarted French nuclear tests in 1995, the first since the end of the Cold War, earning a rebuke from Washington.
The tests in French Polynesia remain a sensitive issue with Paris forced to pay out compensation to residents who suffered from the tests.
Chirac ended compulsory military service and started moves that reintegrated France into the NATO defence alliance, reversing a policy set in the 1960s.
His presidency was derailed when he unnecessarily called a parliamentary election in 1997 and lost it, forcing him to share power with the Socialists again.
In 2000 he had a lucky escape from a Concorde air disaster which killed 113 people, when the stricken plane barely missed Chirac’s Boeing jet on the runway at Charles de Gaulle airport.
2002-07: A second term marked by riots and opposition to the war in Iraq
In 2002 he had an easy ride to a second term when far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen unexpectedly reached the final round.
In a rare show of unity, the moderate right and the left united behind Chirac, and he crushed Le Pen with 82 per cent of the vote in the runoff.
Later that year he was the subject of an assassination attempt when an extreme right militant shot at him – and missed – during a Bastille Day parade.
His outspoken opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 rocked France’s relations with Washington and weakened the Atlantic alliance.
Insisted the action in Iraq was illegal, Chirac believed it would cause chaos in the region and threatened to veto a UN Security Council resolution that would have authorised the invasion.
Former French leader Jacques Chirac and then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair are pictured in Paris in 2006. They were at odds over the Iraq War
The Queen, Jacques Chirac, Bernadette Chirac, George W. Bush and Laura Bush at a ceremony in 2004. Chirac blasted British food and clashed with Britain and America over Iraq
Angry Americans poured Bordeaux wine into the gutter and restaurants renamed French fries ‘freedom fries’ in retaliation.
At home his authority was badly weakened by France’s ‘No’ vote in a European Constitution referendum in 2005, angering the pro-EU Chirac.
‘If you want to shoot yourself in the foot, do it, but after don’t complain,’ he raged at his own electorate after the humiliating defeat.
The same year he was outmanoeuvred by Tony Blair in the bidding for the 2012 Olympics, which London won at the expense of Paris.
Tony Blair, Cherie Blair, Bernadette Chirac and Jacques Chirac in Downing Street in 2004
Chirac waves from a window on a visit to Blomberg in Germany in 2005. That year he suffered a stinging defeat over the ill-fated European Constitution
Fuming at Britain, he said: ‘You can’t trust people who cook as badly as that. After Finland, it’s the country with the worst food.’
Despite promising to heal the ‘social fracture’, Chirac failed to defuse tensions between police and minority youths that exploded into riots across France in 2005.
After the presidential term was shortened from seven years to five, he left office in 2007, replaced by Nicolas Sarkozy.
By then his popularity was low and his critics accused him of spending his political energy on staying in power rather than achieving change.
Chirac had once been Sarkozy’s mentor but the pair later fell out, among other things over Sarkozy’s close relationship – and rumoured affair – with Chirac’s daughter, Claude.
Although Sarkozy returned to a prominent role as a minister in Chirac’s government, the mistrust remained, with the former protege reportedly calling Chirac a ‘do-nothing king.’
After leaving the Elysee in 2007, the Chiracs lived a quiet life on Paris’s Quai Voltaire in an apartment loaned by Lebanon’s Hariri family, and worked on his memoirs.
In 2012 one of his aides claimed he was planning to vote for Sarkozy’s challenger Francois Hollande in that year’s election.
It was never confirmed whether he did, as Bernadette cast the vote by proxy in place of the ailing former President.
Bernadette Chirac remained a confidant of Sarkozy and supported his doomed bid to return to the presidency in 2017.